1978 Corvette L82 Engine Upgrades

I just bought a 1978 Corvette L82 Silver Anniversary Edition. It comes stock with a 220hp enigne but i want to know if anyone knows about any enigne upgrades that i can purchase. thanks  

any engine upgrades for the L82 should be your standard fare Gen 1 350 upgrades.  Simple things are swapping out your exhaust manifolds for headers, swap out your intake manifold, change carbs, etc.  Depending on the condition of your engine, you may just want to have it rebuilt.  What you need to think about then is if you want to keep it numbers matching, or if you want to go beyond.  From what I understand you can have  your stock crank & rods reconditioned or replaced outright, you can overbore the cylinders, your pistons will probably need replaced regardless, replace your camshaft, and port the L82 heads, even turn it into a 383 and you'll still be within NCRS standards as long as everything outside the engine is 'stock' since they won't tear into your engine to verify every component.  If numbers don't matter to you at all, along with the above options you can replace your cylinder heads.  Aftermarket heads like the aluminum Corvette L98 heads, iron Vortec heads, and the GMPP Aluminum Fast-Burn heads are great.  There's also other aftermarket heads from places like Dart & Summit too.

Another common option is just to replace your engine outright.  Just pull your stock L82 and set it aside to keep it unmolested, and drop in a new crate engine or a custom engine built to your spec.  That way if you plan to sell the '78 somewhere down the road, you'll be able to command a higher price as you'll still have the original numbers-matching engine to sell with it, or restore it to factory spec yourself later if you feel like it.  It really all depends on what you want to do.  

first question ot ask yourself: Do I want to mess withthe original engine or go with a crate motor and build from there. As mentioned in the previous post, the original engine in stock form could have value later on. A drop in ZZ4 would work great in your car if you decide to go the crate motor route.

If you decide to play with te stock motor and the shortblock and roatating assembly is in good shape, I'd recommend a full top end replacement. New heads, cam, intake and carb will do your Vette good. Along with exhaust upgrades such as headers, low restriction cats and mufflers, your motor would run pretty good.  

Hi Guys,
 I recently purchased a 1978 L82 4 spd. The engine lopes and it sounds really cool. I'm the 4th owner as far as I can tell. There was an engine rebuilt according to the last owner, about 10,000 miles ago. I have restored the interior to like-new condition and have refurbished the entire engine compartment. And I have had a complete flowmaster true dual exhaust system installed with a cross over. I've done a lot of research and from what I can tell the entire clean air pacjkage has been removed including the air pump. I have just purchased an Edlebrock Performer RPM Air-Gap Intake Manifold and a Holley 650. I plan to install this and want to know if there is anyone here who is familiar with the hook ups I need to make for the engine vaccum system. I appreciate all the help you all have provided me with.

Terry  
Terry

Thad, you appear to know about numbers matching.  I am looking at a '78 and have the VIN. Do you know of a place I can go to look up the original engine block number?  I have tried some of the vin lookup sites, but they only go back to 1980 and won't accept my VIN.  

Google is your friend, however, you may want to pick this book up:

http://www.corvetteblackbook.com/  

edlebrock intake manifold with a 650cfm carb does mine well on the original motor, got rid of some of the evap system. but im planning a swap-I got a vortec motor 5.7 for a low cost...-look at salvage in good condition-NO FRONT END ACCIDENTS or Motor problems. I am hoping to keep the original vette motor original so a swap is in my mind....the 5.7 will get a reburb-bearings, seals, gaskets, and a new cam and possibly roller rockers 1.6 to make that a more performance minded motor without doing all that to the origial engine. also a trans swap is what I plan to do. maybe something with a OD? why not?  

there are plenty of ports for a vacuum hookup, I used a edl performer not RPM cause RPM rises higher and you may need a taller hood. a edl 600 or 650 performer carb is doing well on my 78 too. I also upgraded the distributor to a eccel and high power eccel coil and wires and replaced the plugs.-get it tuned and it will work well with a edbrock 360 intake filter. with the top end done go for some headers-i prefer shorties but whatever you like, just make sure it fits. and a ac adapter may be needed if you have ac. and a cruise conrol adaptor for the carb may be needed if you also have cruise control. I would also suggest true duel exaust. I use valvoline maxlife oil and a quart of lucas oil for cushioning for the motor.